I'm 43 and haven't ridden regularly for years. When I was in college, I'd ride ~20 miles a day. I just so happen to be going back to get a PhD this Fall at Duke University. We'll most likely live in Chapel Hill or Carrboro. I would like to eventually work up to a commute the whole way, which will be 9 - 10 miles each way. At the minimum, I'll drive and park in an outer lot off campus and will use the bike for transport around campus and around downtown Durham.

I am currently living in Vienna, Austria and had thought about buying a bike here since there a lot more options for bikes that are already set up for daily commuting with fenders, lights with dynamo hubs, racks, etc. But the bikes aren't so cheap, and they are a lot heavier than an equivalently priced and equipped bike in the US. Plus, if a defect reveals itself in a few months, I'll be on my own. So I've mostly decided to get a bike in the US, but all I can go on is what I read online since I can't ride them until I get there. I'll want to buy one ASAP when I arrive in 6 weeks.

Or maybe someone will convince me to get a bike here before I go. Shipping cost isn't an issue since my employer is paying. I'll be bummed if I don't get a bike here, then can't find something I like back in the US.

I want ease of maintenance, reliability and all-weather capability in street clothes. Therefore, I want an IGH and either a chain guard or a Gates belt drive. I want something that can be fine for both around campus and eventually longer commutes and that is fairly comfortable.

One issue I may have is correct sizing, which will make the decision for me if only one bike works well. I'm 5'7" with a 29 inch stand over height. Bike shops here say I need at least an inch clearance. But most bikes with that much clearance feel like the TT is too short. I've read in a number of places that stand over height doesn't matter much and that you can adapt. When I was a kid, I had bikes that were way to high, and I did adapt without a problem.

I've identified 4 possible.

- Novara Gotham ($1260 after REI member dividend ... maybe less if a 20% member coupon is going when I buy)
- Breezer Finesse (2011 model had been $2K now $1250)
- Jamis Commuter 4 ($1050)
- Breezer Uptown Infinity or 8 ($1050 or $850)

The Breezer Finesse has a better frame and lighter components like a carbon fork and seatpost and pretty much a full set of Alfine components. Has a dynamo hub and B&M headlight. Weight is 28 lbs.

The Novara Gotham has a slightly lesser quality frame and components than the Finesse except for a NuVinci N360 with a Gates belt drive. It has a rechargeable headlight rather than dynamo. It weighs 34 lbs.

The Jamis Commuter 4 has a NuVinci with chain drive and no light but is cheaper and weighs 31.5 lbs.

The Breezer Uptown is a back up plan in case sizing of the above bikes doesn't work for me.

Any thoughts? Advice? Does the weight difference matter for my purposes? By the way, most bikes here way 35 - 45 pounds with 35 being considered light.